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Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Purgatory

Season 7, Episode 11, Aired Jun 08, 2008

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9.6

EPISODE RATING: Superb

105 votes

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Still on leave from the force, Goren decides to tip the balance in his favor with an undercover operation.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Dean Winters

Mike Stoat
GUEST STAR
Lauren Velez

Offcr. Lois Melago
GUEST STAR
Seth Gilliam

Det. Daniels

Vincent D'Onofrio

Det. Robert Goren
Kathryn Erbe

Det. Alexandra Eames
Eric Bogosian

Capt. Danny Ross

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Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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So great!!!!

10

"Perfect"

By house_freak13, Nov 11, 2008

Eames really had to think in this episode! She loves Bobby but his disloyalty to her in this episode makes her question her love for him. Of course she still loves him but she questions everything he's done for her and that she's done for him (not that he's done to much for her anyway). Also, Bobby has to really think about his relationship with Eames. She's always been there for him, but no she's furious with him and he wonders that she my not always be there for him. He couldn't do his job without her and realizes he has to step up to the plate to regain her trust, because they are usually never in an argument. If they want their relationship to stay the same, they both have to grow more and get over their anger. Plus I would hate it if they were mad at each other forever!!!moreless
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Will Goren get his badge back? Warning: Spoilers Inside.

10

"Perfect"

By OuroborosSnyder, Aug 05, 2008

Ok...so after "Untethered," which is one of my all time favorite episodes of LOCI, I wanted to see what they'd do after it and how Goren would come back. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire damn break until LOCI finally came back on. I'd seen the previews for this before it came on, so it gave the episode even more of an umph before it even started. In other words, I had very high expectations.

I'd say in this episode, they were definitely met. And then some!

This episode had everything...there we parts were I'd Gasp (like when Eames busted through the door with cops...we all know the scene I'm talking about), to the very end where Bobby found a rat in his desk drawer. Just amazing stuff. One of my favorite scenes out of this episode is the long conversation between Goren and Eames after Eames found out he was undercover the entire time. It broke my heart when he'd told her, in jail. She looked so pissed, so betrayed, so hurt. Poor Bobby...he tried to explain himself to her, Ross kept telling her he was under direct orders, but it didn't help. Then, the conversation...how he was trying to protect her. He explained about the rules...in which she laughed in disbelief at him about him even mentioning rules. He looked so desperate then...while trying to explain that it was the only way to get his badge back. I believe him in a way...I really do...but should he have told Eames? I know a lot of people say good for her...good for her for sticking up to him once and for all. But still... =/

And then the end comment (of that conversation)..."All your wounds are self-inflicted." Ouch! It may be true, but damn! Oh yes, and I almost forgot...the "Carry your water" comment. I think she took it a bit too far with that, but I guess I can't blame her. I'd be pissed to. Once he finally got his badge back, he was so happy. He looked so proud...until, of course, Eames pretty much shot him down. Not a very good welcome back from him, but he does deserve some of it. I guess I'm on the fence about it...but I can't help but just want to reach through the TV and hug him!!!

In all, brillant episode! There were so many things I didn't even mention in here! Definitely a favorite as well. ~Snyder~moreless
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On suspension, Goren attempts to save his career by working undercover to nab a drug-running skin-club owner - and the dirty cops involved - jepordizing his life as well as his realtionship with his partner Eames.moreless

9.8

"Superb"

By Melapalousa, Jul 01, 2008

Character development we've been waiting for! The connection of the Goren/Eames duo has darkend of late, but this episode lets Erbe shine through as the pragmatic and loyal Eames. The case on the whole isn't the focuse - Goren getting his badge back and the ultimate betrayl of the one person closest to him is what drives the ratings up. I think a lot of us who've been watching this show for years, have been waiting years for Eames to say some of those things to poor, unpopular, flailing Goren. After so many years of case-driven drama, I think the writers and show-runners are realizing that backstory is what a lot of the fans are wanting nowadays. Hats off to Erbe and D'Onofrio for great character interaction!moreless
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The perils of being undercover

9.5

"Superb"

By XMLarry, Jun 11, 2008

While the episode started kind of slow, it did pick up as we learned more and more about Goren, his association with Mike, the crooked cop (no matter how well meaning he may have been), the undercover assignment which only those at the top knew about, his "visits" to Dr. Olivet which were nothing more than updating his boss. Very well written wich a twist and turn here and there. Was glad to see the previews were not deceptive for once, showing Goren and Eames actually confronting each other with guns. I can understand Eames frustration about not being let in on the undercover work, but sometimes you get the results you want when as few people as possible know what is going on.moreless
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While waiting on the decision of his fate on the Major Case Squad, Goren decides to take a side job. His side job turns out to be an undercover sting which leads him face to face with his former partner Det. Eames.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By E_Queen, Jun 11, 2008

I loved this episode. I love that Goren has not lost his love for or faith in the job. While Goren has been through plenty of negative issues lately, he did not fall and turn into a "dirty cop" where it would have been easily understandable if he did. Not necessarily the right decision but not hard to believe if he did. Eames love and concern for Goren has not strayed through all of Goren's mishaps and misfortune. Although, this episode may have lead her to question that. Another great episode from Law & Order: Criminal Intent and as I stated earlier...Exactly why I watch this series,moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- There is a pin-up in the office from "Privilege" magazine - the Playboy of the LOCI world.
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- Stoat's card read: Mike Stoat 718 555 0193 mike.stoat@youlenz.com
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QUOTES (4)
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- Mike Stoat: What are you getting for setting me up? Are you getting your shield back, hum? Is that your thirty pieces of silver, Bobby?
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- Robert Goren: (of the Chief of Ds) Wh-why can't he get someone from OCCB or IA? Why can't he get someone from SNEU? Danny Ross: I went through the whole alphabet with him. He says you're already inside; he wants you. Robert Goren: Yeah, he's hoping I'll get myself killed. Danny Ross: The thought occurred to me.
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- Alex Eames: (indicating the tourist victims) And then there's "wrong place, wrong time." Danny Ross: You mean the Bennetts? Or do you mean putting a passenger cruise ship terminal in the middle of Red Hook?
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- Bobby: Eames. I'm Sorry. Eames: That's all you have to say to me? I could've blown your head off back there. Eight years I've had your back, and I don't even get the courtesy of a phone call. Bobby: I was trying to protect you. Eames: Since when? Bobby: And there were rules that Eames: Rules. (laughs) You gotta be kidding me. You managed to get word to the captain, you contacted the Chief of Ds, but just not your partner? Bobby: This was my only way back. I mean, how else am I gonna get my shield? You're not gettin' it. Eames: I get it. I get it. You're the genius, and I just carry your water, right? You have any idea how many times I've lied for you, covered your ass? Bobby: I was in a deep hole here. Eames: And who's fault was that? All your wounds are self-inflicted. Bobby: I know, I tried not to drag you into this one. Eames: And what would you have done if I hadn't burst through that door? If it wasn't me, you'd be dead. Bobby: I didn't look for this. Eames: You could've fooled me, Detective. I hope it was worth it.
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NOTES (4)
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- Original International Air Dates: Czech Republic May 7, 2010 on TV Nova
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- Beginning with this episode, the series returned to its original time slot of Sunday nights at 10:00 pm but still on the USA network.
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- Dean Winters played a recurring role as Detective Brian Cassidy in season one of Law and Order: SVU. In his final episode with SVU, his character transferred over to the Narcotics division. As chance would have it, his character in this episode, Mike Stoat, is on suspension from Narcotics.
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- Dean Winters (who plays Mike Stoat in this episode), Lauren Velez (Officer Lois Melago) and Kathryn Erbe all appeared in HBO's Oz, although Winters and Erbe never shared a scene. Velez played prison physician Gloria Nathan, Winters played inmate Ryan O'Reilly, and Erbe played inmate Shirley Bellinger.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Sloat is making a Biblical reference to Judas' betrayal of Jesus when he asks Goren if he is intending to get his badge back through his actions, if "...this is his thirty pieces of silver?" This was the price that the religious authorities paid Judas to facilitate Jesus' capture; Judas of course has become synonymous with being a traitor.
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